WRAL Daily Download

Can you really trust travel insurance when it matters most? A Fort Bragg family tried to use their policy after a sudden deployment forced them to cancel a trip, only to face a roadblock. WRAL 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur stepped in to help recover more than $1,000. She talks through the process and tells you what you should know about travel insurance. 

The North Carolina State legislature is back in session with a lot on the docket, from a potential book ban to Medicaid changes that could affect millions of North Carolinians. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks it all down from the state legislative building.  

Most of North Carolina is experiencing dangerous drought conditions, causing a statewide burn ban and increasing water use restrictions in different localities. WRAL Meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner and WRAL Digital Producer Jaylin Jones talk about how we got here and how long it may take to get out of it. 

Residents, scientists and health professionals are frustrated over how the state is planning to address PFAS, known as 'forever chemicals,' found in North Carolina's waterways. WRAL Climate Change Reporter Liz McLaughlin shares why some say the proposed plan, which includes monitoring PFAS discharge, does not hold those behind the contamination responsible., 

The National Weather Service's storm prediction center did not anticipate a tornado threat for the Kansas City area last week. At least three injuries were reported in at least five tornadoes there. WRAL Meteorologist Grant Skinner weighs in for what it means for our area during severe weather season.

The City of Raleigh implemented Stage 1 water-use restrictions Monday amid a severe drought across most of the state. Parts of the Triangle are in extreme drought conditions. WRAL's Shaun Gallagher breaks down what the restrictions mean.

The 2026 midterm elections are still months away, but the money is already pouring into North Carolina at a breakneck pace. Leading candidates in the race for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat have already raised more than $50 million — with millions more expected from national political groups. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran breaks down where the money is coming from, how i...

Americans waste up to $1,000 annually on unused and unwanted subscriptions. The law is on your side when it comes to getting rid of them. WRAL's Keely Arthur explains how it can help you do just that.

On April 16, 2011, 30 tornadoes ravaged the state of North Carolina, killing 24 people and injuring more than 300 people. WRAL Digital Producer Jaylin Jones and Meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth talk about what caused such significant severe weather. 

There's been no measurable rainfall since April 5 and rain chances this weekend aren't expected to help much. It's why Raleigh leaders are considering possible water use restrictions for the first time in nearly 20 years. WRAL's Chris Michaels explains the weather pattern behind the lack of rain.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee says it’s growing confident about the party’s ability to protect its North Carolina incumbents — and potentially flip at least one Republican-held seat. Republican groups and political analysts have their doubts.  WRAL state government reporter Paul Specht and digital producer Jaylin Jones talk through the reasons for the growi...

Rising costs and dwindling enrollment are causing North Carolina schools to tighten their belts.  Wake County Public schools proposed a budget with more than 5 million dollars in cuts, on top of more than 100 layoffs designed to save the state’s biggest school district millions more.  WRAL Education Insider Emily Walkenhorst explains why districts are in a budget crunch and breaks...

Could Raleigh be the next home to a fleet of driverless taxis? 5 On Your Side's Alex Littlehales and WRAL Digital Producer Jaylin Jones talk about what the program would look like and how city leaders are responding. 

Sports wagering was just the beginning of a betting boom across the country. Now prediction markets offer the opportunity to bet on just about anything.  While sportsbooks deal with games and matchups, perhaps an important someone with insider information, is making hundreds of thousands of dollars betting on whether the Strait of Hormuz will be closed by this time next week. Or who will be t...

For the first time in more than 70 years, North Carolina turned to an outsider to lead its storied men’s basketball program. Michael Malone, a longtime NBA coach, is now charged with leading the Tar Heels back to national prominence and national titles. In partnership with the WRAL sports podcast, WRAL Triangle and Two, Chris Lea and Brian Murphy go over the introductory press conference and...

North Carolina has been allocated $1.4 billion for Hurricane Helene relief from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. More than half of that is earmarked for single-family homes. Yet 18 months after the deadly storm ripped through the state, only 30 single-family homes have been completed through HUD-supported programs. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains why officia...

An influential Republican group says it plans to spend at least $71 million to help Michael Whatley’s U.S. Senate campaign in North Carolina — an enormous pledge that comes less than a week after a poll showed Whatley trailing Democratic challenger Roy Cooper by 14 points. WRAL State Government Reporter Will Doran explains why the race to replace U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis is expected to br...

Consumer Reports evaluated dozens of doorbell camera models, looking at video quality, response time and data security. 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur speaks with WRAL Digital Producer Jaylin Jones about what happens to video that gets recorded, where it's stored, and how easily police can depend on the prodcut. 

Four astronauts--including a woman from North Carolina--are set to take off for the Moon on Wednesday aboard Artemis II. Nasa Ambassador Tony Rice is at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to cover the first Moon mission in 53 years. WRAL's Louis Fernandez spoke to him about this historic mission.

As high-protein diets surge in popularity, a Consumer Reports investigation found high levels of lead in some protein powders and shakes, raising questions about supplement safety. The good news: Consumer Reports’ nutrition team says many tasty foods pack a protein punch without the risk of heavy metals. A recent CR investigation that found lead in more than two-thirds of the prote...

North Carolina elections officials faced intense scrutiny over recounts in the Republican primary between state Sen. Phil Berger and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page.  WRAL state government reporters Paul Specht and Will Doran break down what we learned about the accuracy of elections in North Carolina — and the processes to verify the count. They also break down what comes next for s...

Crypto scams are surging because they're getting more sophisticated. Bank or retirement accounts are getting drained and the money is hard to trace and get back. WRAL's Randall Kerr explains what you need to watch out for.

State Senate Leader Phil Berger loses to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page in a GOP primary for the Triad-area. Berger has been a constant in the State Senate and had great control over state legislative measures for years. How will the loss impact N.C. politics? Will Doran and Paul Specht share what this means going forward for the party and for North Carolinians. 

A magnitude 2.7 earthquake hit Western North Carolina Monday evening near the Macon-Jackson County line. Damage causing earthquakes are very rare in North Carolina but the state has seen a few memorable and powerful quakes. WRAL Meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth explains the largely forgotten history.

Pollen counts are on the rise, you might have seen plenty of it sticking on surfaces outside in North Carolina. It's only going to get worse, and it's likely to stick around longer this season too. WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell and digital producer Jaylin Jones talk through why it's hitting so hard.